KOTA KINABALU: Schools must appoint credible contractors for their development projects to prevent substandard workmanship, said Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang.
Teo, who chairs the “State Government Annual Allocation for Non-Islamic Religious Bodies, Chinese and Mission Schools Committee’, said the committee found that a recently completed school had to bear high maintenance costs because of substandard workmanship.
“Schools must ensure the contractors they appoint are credible and responsible, who would adhere to the project specifications.
“Otherwise, schools will face high maintenance costs when problems start to emerge two or three years down the road after the completion of the projects.”
After all, he said, the construction of hard infrastructure in Chinese schools was funded by donations from the Chinese community and government’s support.
“As such, schools must have strict standards in the selection of contractors,” Teo saidafter inspecting nine schools and non-Islamic religious bodies with his committee members in Kota Kinabalu and Penampang on Thursday.
The committee members who were present at the inspection were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah, Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Michael Asang, Deputy Permanent Secretary to the State Finance Ministry Datuk Peter Thien, Assistant Education Director of Sabah Tham Yun Fook, the Association of Sabah National Type Chinese School Management Committee president Ben Lim Kiat Kong and Sabah Chinese Primary School Working Committee president Datuk William Chu, Political Secretary to the Minister Peter Chong and Liaison Secretary to the Minister Albert Kok.
The committee has visited SJK(C) Che Hwa Kolombong, SM All Saints, SJK(C) Chung Hwa Likas, SJK(C) St James, SM Shan Tao, SM Kian Kok, Kota Kinabalu High School, St Michael Church at Kampung Kambau, Penampang and Baptist Retreat Centre at Jalan Kiansom.